Device for displaying lenticular displays

Abstract

The claimed invention provides a self-actuating lenticular display assembly that places the lenticular image in intimate contact with the lenticular lens while maintaining the lenticular image separate from the lenticular lens to form the lenticular display. The lenticular display assembly further comprises a rigid back plate placed behind the lenticular display so that the lenticular image moves in a parallel plane between the lenticular lens and the rigid back plate, a motor that accomplishes movement of the lenticular image in relation to the lenticular lens, alignment mechanisms that allow the lenticular image to be incrementally adjusted in relation to the lenticular lens, and different means for maintaining intimacy between the lenticular image and the lenticular lens, thus eliminating undesirable “soft spots” that may occur. Alternative embodiments are also presented that relate to, among other features, a flexible, removably attached back plate, a “dwell” feature provided near the mid-point of image excursion, and a mechanism that permits selection of a desired image display sequence.

1. An improved self-actuating display device adapted for insertion into an existing visual display system, the improved device comprising: means for resolving image information; a light-transmissive back plate removably attached to the means for resolving image information; means for storing image information, the means for storing image information positioned between the means for resolving image information and the back plate; means for providing reciprocating motion of the means for storing image information with respect to the means for resolving image information; means for selection of a desired image display sequence from among a plurality of image display sequences; and means for maintaining intimacy of the relationship between the means for resolving image information and the means for storing image information, including a flexible envelope having exterior dimensions approximating the exterior dimensions of the means for storing image information, and a fan disposed proximate an opening in the flexible envelope, the fan providing sufficient static pressure, absent a unique pressure-regulating device, to maintain the envelope in an inflated condition; wherein the envelope exerts sufficient pressure on the means for storing image information to provide intimacy of contact between the means for resolving image information and the means for storing image information. 
   
   
     2. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for resolving image information comprises a lenticular lens. 
   
   
     3. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for resolving image information comprises a barrier strip. 
   
   
     4. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for storing image information comprises a light-transmissive medium including interleaved image information arranged for sequential display of images upon proper alignment with means for resolving image information. 
   
   
     5. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the light-transmissive back plate is removably attached utilizing facing regions of reclosable fastening material secured to facing perimetric regions of the means for resolving image information and the back plate. 
   
   
     6. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 5 , wherein the reclosable fastening material comprises hook-and-loop fastener material. 
   
   
     7. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 5 , wherein the reclosable fastening material comprises facing regions of hermaphroditic reclosable fastening material. 
   
   
     8. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the back plate includes a light diffusing layer. 
   
   
     9. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for providing reciprocating motion of the means for storing image information comprises an integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism supported proximate one end of the self-actuating display device. 
   
   
     10. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 9 , wherein the integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism includes adjustment means to correct angular alignment errors, if any, between lines of image information on the means for storing image information and corresponding openings in the means for resolving image information. 
   
   
     11. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 9 , wherein the integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism further includes a base plate secured to the means for resolving image information, and a transit plate in sliding contact with the base plate, with the transit plate including a drive pin contacting the means for storing image information. 
   
   
     12. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 11 , wherein the integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism further comprising means for introducing a time delay during reciprocation of the means for storing image information. 
   
   
     13. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 12 , wherein the time delay duration is programmable. 
   
   
     14. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 12 , wherein the integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism introduces the time delay proximate the mid-point of travel of the means for storing image information. 
   
   
     15. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 14 , wherein the time delay comprises a dwell time during which the means for storing image information does not move with respect to the means for resolving image information. 
   
   
     16. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 11 , wherein the means for selection of a desired image display sequence from among a plurality of image display sequences comprises: an eccentric cam mechanism coupled between the base plate and a second movable plate in sliding engagement with the base plate to select an initial position of the means for storing image information with respect to the means for resolving image information; and a locking mechanism to secure the base plate to the second movable plate after the initial position has been selected. 
   
   
     17. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring-loaded engagement means disposed distally from the integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism for providing an appropriate tension throughout the means for storing image information. 
   
   
     18. The improved self-actuating display device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for resolving image information comprises a lenticular lens. 
   
   
     19. An improved self-actuating display device adapted for insertion into an existing visual display system, the improved device comprising:
 a barrier strip that resolves image information; 
 a light-transmissive back plate removably attached to the barrier strip; 
 a light-transmissive medium including interleaved image information arranged for sequential display of images upon proper alignment with the barrier strip, the light-transmissive medium positioned between the barrier strip and the back plate; 
 an integrally constructed drive motor and adjustment mechanism supported proximate one end of the self-actuating display device to provide reciprocating motion of the light-transmissive medium and to provide an adjustment capability to correct angular alignment errors, if any, between lines of image information on the light-transmissive medium and corresponding openings in the barrier strip; 
 a flexible envelope having exterior dimensions approximating the exterior dimensions of the light-transmissive medium; and 
 a fan disposed proximate an opening in the flexible envelope, the fan providing sufficient static pressure, absent a unique pressure-regulating device, to maintain the envelope in an inflated condition; 
 such that the envelope exerts sufficient pressure on the light-transmissive medium to provide intimacy of contact between the barrier strip and the light-transmissive medium.